Boundary Disputes in Boca Raton: What to Do When Neighbors Disagree on Property Lines
Property line disputes between neighbors often start small. However, what begins as a minor disagreement can quickly turn into a serious legal conflict that affects the value, use, and enjoyment of your property.
These conflicts come up regularly, and Florida law provides clear options for resolving them. Our experienced Boca Raton boundary disputes lawyer explains common triggers and your rights under Florida law.
Boundary Dispute Triggers and How the Florida Statutes Apply
Boundary disputes in Boca Raton are unfortunately common. Left unresolved, they can create tension with the people next door, cloud your title, and complicate any future sales. Issues that often trigger disputes between South Florida property owners include:
- A new survey reveals encroachments on a neighbor’s property.
- A neighbor builds a structure or takes other actions crossing property lines.
- Conflicting legal descriptions in deeds create overlapping claims.
- A property sale that prompts a title search revealing an unresolved encroachment or boundary conflict.
- Disagreements over shared driveways, walls, or other features located near the property line.
Florida law addresses boundary disputes in several ways, depending on the situation. The doctrine of agreed boundary recognizes that neighbors who have treated a particular line as the boundary for a long period of time may be bound by that informal agreement. Adverse possession, governed by Florida Statute Section 95.18, allows a party (under certain conditions) to claim legal ownership of land they have openly and continuously used for at least seven years.
Factors That Influence How South Florida Boundary Disputes Are Resolved
Florida courts have several tools for resolving boundary disputes. Under Chapter 65 of the Florida Statutes, a quiet title action is one of the most common legal remedies. It asks a court to establish the legal boundary and clear any competing claims from the public record. Courts can also issue injunctions requiring a neighbor to remove an encroaching structure or stop interfering with your use of your property.
If you are involved in a boundary dispute in Boca Raton, factors that influence how your case is resolved include:
- Whether a current, accurate survey clearly establishes the legal property line.
- Whether the use of a disputed strip of land supports an adverse possession or an agreed boundary claim.
- Whether deeds and legal descriptions for both properties contain conflicting language.
- Whether the dispute can be resolved through a boundary line agreement or other negotiations.
Getting a current survey is almost always the right first step. From there, an experienced boundary dispute lawyer can evaluate your position and help you choose the most effective path forward.
Contact Our Experienced Boca Raton Real Estate Litigation Lawyer
Boundary disputes require prompt, professional legal representation. Neuman Law, P.A. helps property owners throughout South Florida resolve conflicts, protect their rights, and clear title issues before they become bigger problems.
To request a consultation, contact our office. We serve property owners in Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, Martin County, Broward County, Miami-Dade County, Monroe County, and Hillsborough County.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0000-0099/0095/Sections/0095.18.html
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0000-0099/0065/Sections/0065.091.html